Brisbane’s federal candidates united in Olympic stadium stand-off

All three candidates vying for the must-win seat of Brisbane have refused to back-in the Olympic stadium at Victoria Park set to be the crowning glory of the 2032 Games. WATCH THE DEBATE

All three candidates vying for the must-win seat of Brisbane have refused to back-in the behemoth Olympic stadium at Victoria Park set to be the crowning glory of the 2032 Games.

In a tight three cornered race where every vote matters, the reluctance of Labor’s Madonna Jarrett and the LNP’s Trevor Evans to champion the $3.78bn legacy stadium shows the Victoria Park project is live political issue.

Sitting Greens MP Stephen Bates — who holds the seat on a slim 3.7 per cent margin — was the only candidate to openly reject the Victoria Park option, decrying the loss of the “local park” which was private golf course for 90 years until 2021.

Stephen Bates MP , Madonna Jarrett and Trevor Evans at News Corp Pic Annette Dew

It means whomever is ultimately successful in the federal seat of Brisbane is unlikely to be a vocal champion for a project that the state government is still hoping to secure federal government funding for.

The views of the three Brisbane hopefuls came during a Sky News/ Courier-Mail debate on Thursday, in an hour-long event designed to help undecided voters make up their minds eight days before polling closes.

An artist impression of Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Source: Queensland Government.

The battle for Brisbane is expected to come down to preferences, with the LNP hopeful the return of former MP Mr Evans will boost its chances in the city which abandoned them in 2022.

Numerous polls have shown a small drop in support for the Greens, in a result that would advantage Labor and potentially be enough to propel them to victory.

Ms Jarrett, repeatedly asked if she supported the Victoria Park stadium, refused to say if she backed in the Games venue and instead called on voters to hold state Premier David Crisafulli “to account for the decision that he made”.

Mr Evans, who leaned on his track record over his two terms in office between 2016 and 2022, said Victoria Park was “not my first pick”.

“But the decision’s made, I respect it, I’m not going to oppose that decision,” he said.

Mr Bates said he did not support a stadium at Victoria Park, and vowed to keep campaigning with locals to “make sure that it stays in as a park”.

Victoria Park protesters. (Image/Josh Woning)

In further proof Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s now-watered down policy on public service jobs was biting in the seat, Ms Jarrett claimed a government led by him would be “no different to Campbell Newman”.

Mr Evans, framing himself as a business professional, said the election was a choice between “an economist and an activist”.

For the Greens the pitch to retain Brisbane is a claim the electorate would be best served by a healthy crossbench that can negotiate with a minority Labor government — though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly ruled turning to the minor party for supply.

Originally published as Brisbane’s federal candidates united in Olympic stadium stand-off